Calendula Salve Made at Home Natural and Easy Recipe
There’s just something sweet and soul-soothing about making your own herbal salves. When your hands smell like calendula and beeswax, you know you’re making good stuff. If this is your first time making a homemade calendula salve, get ready—it’s easy, nourishing, and a great way to use those cheerful calendula blooms you may have dried yourself or picked up from somewhere like Mountain Rose Herbs.
Calendula officinalis, also known as pot marigold, is one of those powerhouse herbs that every natural mama should keep nearby. It’s gentle enough for babies and sensitive skin, but strong enough to tackle skin irritations, bug bites, dry hands, minor cuts, diaper rash, and even chicken pox bumps. Packed with anti-inflammatory properties, this flower is a star in herbal teas, lip balm blends, and topical use salves like this one.
Let’s get into the good stuff and make your own calendula salve—one that’s full of healing oils, soft wax, and love.
First Step: Make a Calendula-Infused Oil
Before you jump into mixing, you’ll need to start with a calendula-infused oil. This is the base of most herbal salves, and it carries all those lovely medicinal properties from the calendula petals into the final product. If you already have ml calendula oil ready, you can skip this part. Otherwise, here’s how to infuse it:
You’ll need:
- 1 cup dried calendula flowers (whole flower or just petals)
- 1 cup olive oil, sweet almond oil, or your preferred oil (some folks love sunflower oil or coconut oil too)
- A clean mason jar with a lid
- A brown paper bag (optional, for blocking light)
How to infuse:
- Place the dried calendula flowers into the mason jar and cover completely with oil. Stir gently to release air bubbles.
- Screw on the lid and place the jar in a cool dark place for 4–6 weeks. Shake gently every few days.
- Alternatively, for a quicker method, use a small crockpot or the double-boiler method on low heat for 4–6 hours. This speeds up the herbal infusion without compromising too much of the plant’s goodness. Just be careful not to overheat—keep it around 100–120 degrees F.
Once your oil is infused, strain it through a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve, pressing to get every drop of that wonderful oil.
No Time to Infuse? You Can Buy It Premade!
If waiting 4–6 weeks for an infusion isn’t your thing—or if you just need a quick batch of homemade calendula salve ready to go—you can totally skip the DIY oil step and just buy calendula-infused oil already made.
Brands like Mountain Rose Herbs & Amazon and other trusted herbal suppliers sell high-quality herbal-infused oil using calendula officinalis and gentle carrier oils like olive oil or sunflower oil. It’s a great way to get all the benefits of calendula petals without the wait or fuss.
Just make sure you’re getting pure calendula oil with no added synthetic ingredients—look for cold-infused, organic options if possible. It’s perfect for those days when you’re low on time but still want to make a salve full of natural ingredients and herbal goodness.
Homemade Calendula Salve Recipe
Now that your oil is ready, let’s turn it into a dreamy calendula flower salve. This basic recipe is great for anyone making their first salve and can be customized with different essential oils, wax types, and natural ingredients to suit your personal preference.
Ingredients:
Equipment:
- Double boiler or glass pyrex bowl over a pot (top bowl setup)
- Small glass jar or small jars with lids
- Wooden stirrer or chopstick
Instructions:
- Add your calendula oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax to the top bowl of your double boiler.
- On low heat, stir gently until the wax melts completely. Avoid boiling—gentle heat is key to preserving those medicinal properties.
- Once melted, remove from heat and let it cool slightly—just for a minute or two.
- Stir in vitamin E oil and lavender essential oil.
- Carefully pour the mixture into your clean glass jar or small containers.
- Let it sit uncovered at room temperature until fully set (usually 30–60 minutes). Then cap and label!
That’s it—you’ve made your own homemade calendula salve!
I also like pairing this with my Whipped Body Butter for an ultra-hydrating natural skincare routine.
Tips & Customizations – Calendula Salve
- Want a firmer salve? Add more wax. The typical ratio of beeswax to oil is 1:4, but you can adjust for personal preference. Less beeswax = softer salve.
- For lip balm, use a little more wax and pour into tubes or tins.
- If your dry skin is extra stubborn, try adding a tiny g oil (grapeseed oil) or even a smidge more shea butter.
- For scent, essential oils like chamomile, tea tree, or frankincense pair beautifully with calendula.
- Calendula is one of my favorite herbs for skin repair—and if your heels are cracked or sore, you’ll love combining this salve with my natural cracked heel routine.
If you love creating simple, nourishing body care like this, you might also enjoy my Cream of Magnesium Made at Home – Quick & Easy Recipe. It’s another great DIY for tired muscles and dry skin!
How to Use Calendula Salve
This herbal-infused oil turned salve is super versatile! Use a small amount on:
- Dry hands, elbows, or knees
- Minor cuts or scrapes
- Bug bites and insect bites
- Diaper rash or skin irritations
- As a healing balm after sun exposure
- Daily moisturizer for sensitive skin
Just dab a little onto clean skin and massage it in gently. A little goes a long way!
Storage & Shelf Life for Calendula Salve
Store your own calendula salve in a cool dark place, away from direct light or heat. Properly stored, it will last about 6–12 months depending on your base oil and storage conditions. Keep an eye (and a nose) on it—if it smells off or changes color drastically, it’s time to make a fresh batch.
Why Calendula?
Calendula isn’t just pretty—it’s a medicinal herb with centuries of traditional use. Known for healing wounds, reducing inflammation, and calming the skin, it’s a favorite among herbalists and mamas alike. Even the herbal academy sings its praises! You can grow your own calendula blooms, harvest the flower head, and dry them for use all year long. It’s even an edible flower, often sprinkled on salads or baked into breads.
Looking for more ways to use essential oils in homemade body care? Check out my recipes for Ginger Root Oil, Magnesium Oil, and Jasmine Massage Oil. Each one offers unique benefits for relaxation and skin care.
Calendula Salve FAQ
How long does homemade calendula salve last?
If stored properly in a cool dark place (like a cabinet or drawer), your homemade calendula salve should have a shelf life of about 6 to 12 months. Adding vitamin E oil helps extend its freshness.
Can I use fresh calendula flowers instead of dried?
It’s best to use dried calendula flowers. Fresh petals contain moisture, which can cause your herbal oil to spoil faster. If you only have fresh flowers, dry them first using a brown paper bag or dehydrator before infusing.
What if I don’t have a double boiler?
No worries! Just place a glass pyrex bowl or metal bowl over a small pot with simmering water to mimic the double-boiler method. Keep the heat low and stir gently as the oils and wax melt.
Can I use a different wax besides beeswax?
Yes! If you prefer a vegan version, try candelilla wax, carnauba wax, or soy wax. Each gives a slightly different texture, so you may need to adjust the amount to get your preferred firmness.
What’s the best oil to use for calendula salve infusion?
This really depends on your personal preference and skin type. Olive oil and sweet almond oil are great for sensitive skin and work beautifully in herbal salves. Coconut oil adds firmness and has natural antibacterial benefits, but it may clog pores for some. Sunflower oil is another gentle option with a nice texture.
Can I use calendula salve on babies?
Yes! Calendula is super gentle and great for diaper rash, dry skin, and little bumps. Just skip or reduce the essential oils if you’re making it for babies, since their skin is extra delicate.
Calendula is great for diaper rash and baby skin. You might also like my gentle Newborn Hair Oil Recipe, made with safe, natural ingredients.
Can I add other herbs or oils to this salve?
Definitely! Many people add lavender essential oil, chamomile, or even plantain leaf for extra soothing benefits. Just keep the ratios simple, and test a small amount on your skin first.
Why did my salve turn out too soft or too hard?
This usually comes down to the ratio of beeswax to oil. If it’s too soft, try adding more wax next time. If it’s too firm (like a lip balm), use less beeswax or increase your base oil a little.
Can I just buy calendula oil instead of making it?
Yes! If it’s your first time or you’re short on time, buying premade calendula-infused oil is totally fine. Just make sure it’s a high-quality option with only natural ingredients. It’s a great way to enjoy the benefits of calendula flower salve without waiting for the full oil infusion process.
Homemade Calendula Salve Easy Natural Recipe
Calendula officinalis, also known as pot marigold, is one of those powerhouse herbs that every natural mama should keep nearby. It’s gentle enough for babies and sensitive skin, but strong enough to tackle skin irritations, bug bites, dry hands, minor cuts, diaper rash, and even chicken pox bumps. Packed with anti-inflammatory properties, this flower is a star in herbal teas, lip balm blends, and topical use salves like this one.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup calendula-infused oil (from above)
- 1 tbsp coconut oil (optional, adds firmness and antibacterial benefits)
- 2 tsp shea butter (for extra creaminess)
- 1 tbsp beeswax pastilles (or use carnauba wax, candelilla wax, or soy wax for a vegan option)
- 1/2 tsp vitamin E oil (for longer shelf life and skin nourishment)
Instructions
- Add your calendula oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax to the top bowl of your double boiler.
- On low heat, stir gently until the wax melts completely. Avoid boiling—gentle heat is key to preserving those medicinal properties.
- Once melted, remove from heat and let it cool slightly—just for a minute or two.
- Stir in vitamin E oil and lavender essential oil.
- Carefully pour the mixture into your clean glass jar or small containers.
- Let it sit uncovered at room temperature until fully set (usually 30–60 minutes). Then cap and label!
Notes
- Want a firmer salve? Add more wax. The typical ratio of beeswax to oil is 1:4, but you can adjust for personal preference. Less beeswax = softer salve.
- For lip balm, use a little more wax and pour into tubes or tins.
- If your dry skin is extra stubborn, try adding a tiny g oil (grapeseed oil) or even a smidge more shea butter.
- For scent, essential oils like chamomile, tea tree, or frankincense pair beautifully with calendula.
Final Thoughts
Making your own salve might feel like a big project the first time, but once you do it, you’ll wonder why you waited so long. Homemade calendula salve is gentle, effective, and made with love—and you can feel good knowing exactly what’s going on your family’s skin.
I love using lavender essential oil in this salve for its calming aroma. If you’re a lavender lover too, don’t miss my Lavender Pillowcase Spray for peaceful nighttime vibes.
Whether you’re treating skin ailments, soothing dry skin, or giving a jar away as a thoughtful handmade gift, this salve is full of natural ingredients and a whole lot of heart.
Keep a few small jars in your purse, diaper bag, or bathroom cabinet. Trust me, once you start using calendula, you’ll never want to be without it.
Shop This Post
- Calendula-infused oil
- Coconut oil
- Shea butter
- Beeswax pastilles
- Vitamin E oil
- Lavender essential oil
